How To Properly Handle a Black Water Flood

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

Drying equipment lined up to treat this flood damage property.

Three Steps To Prevent Flood Damage

Black water, or category 3 water, is highly contaminated and should be handled as an emergency plumbing situation that poses a hazard for the people who enter your building. Along with carrying viruses and bacteria, this type of water can have a foul smell. Common sources of category 3 water are:

• Water from flooding
  
• Backed up sewage
  
• Toilet overflow
  
  

If you have experienced a category 3 water flood in Channelview, TX, take these steps immediately to prevent flood damage.

Use Proper Protective Gear

Flooding from stormwater, sewage, or any other form of contaminated water should be handled with care to prevent disease. Wear gloves, masks and bodysuits if they are available to you. Properly dispose of hazardous waste once you have finished cleaning by tightly placing all contaminated towels and rags into a large plastic bag. Tightly close the bag and dispose of it according to your region's waste management codes.

Clean and Dry Your Property

Use old rags, mops or towels to clean the water from your property. A water vacuum may help to clean excess water and dry materials more efficiently than rags. Once you have cleaned the water, make sure your property is not damp. If it is still damp from the flood, use a dehumidifier until the materials are no longer humid. You can also use floor fans to dry carpet, wood or tile floors.

Hire a Restoration Service

A professional water damage restoration service will help to properly clean your property if you do not want to purchase protective gear or undertake the arduous task of cleaning. They will also dehumidify and restore your property by making the necessary repairs to water-damaged construction materials.
Water damage from flooding can be disastrous to a home, especially if the damaged materials are not cleaned and restored on time. In case of a category 3 water flood, take immediate action to prevent disease and flood damage.